FINALLY, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer has appointed Khawaja Haris a PML-N nominee as the province's new Advocate General. Because the slot had been lying vacant for quite some time, the delay caused much speculation among political circles some of which ascribed it to the Governor's propensity to play a partisan role in the province's politics. As a representative of the federal government, he is expected to remain non-political, without creating any hindrance for the provincial government. In this respect, however, he has been found wanting. The appointment of the Governor itself had run into a lot of flak with PML-N, which maintained that it was a move against the party. Later, his remarks that he would turn Lahore into a PPP stronghold like Larkana not only fanned the flames but also created rifts in the coalition. Besides, it added to the worry of the PML-N, who thought the governor as a PPP loyalist. Reportedly, the PML-N somewhere in the round of talks with the PPP over the judges' restoration also expressed the wish to have someone other than Mr Taseer as the Governor. Punjab, according to some, is supposed to hold the key to political power in the country and for that very reason the winners in the general elections had been pretty much keen to get their share of the pie. However, the likelihood of a showdown between the two major parties must be avoided. It was back in 1993 when a situation of the type had emerged when Punjab became the battleground for a bitter power struggle between the provincial and federal authorities. It was military which had to intervene and bring the situation back to normal. At present, the situation is far more complex. The energy shortages are adversely affecting life in all its dimensions: social as well as economic. The economy is in a tailspin and the movement for the restoration of judiciary is keeping the nation's attention focused. Though the Long March ended without any untoward incident, with the protestors peacefully dispersing away, the next time, the possibility of a collision with the government cannot be ruled out. A deteriorating political scene could prove to be a recipe for disaster. Rather than going after short-term political gains, both the PPP and the PML-N would have to display political maturity and have to work hard together to tide over the situation. A poor show would support the contention of those who say that politicians have only added to the woes of the country.